J Agric Med Community Health.  2014 Dec;39(4):222-229. 10.5393/JAMCH.2014.39.4.222.

Awareness on Zoonoses among Pig Farmers in Korea

• Yoo SJ
• Lim HS
• Lee K

• KMID: 2285253
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5393/JAMCH.2014.39.4.222

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Pig farmers are known as the high risk group for the zoonoses, but the study for pig farmers to zoonoses has been rare in Korea. So we surveyed the awareness on zoonoses among pig farmers to suggest directions for education.
METHODS
We visited four regional spots (Gyeongsangnam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Jeollanam-do, and Chungcheongnam-do) where the self education programs of Korea pork producers were convened. We conducted a questionnaire survey of the general, work-related characteristics and the awareness on zoonoses among 278 pig farmers.
RESULTS
The awareness rate of zoonoses itself, brucellosis, tuberculosis and salmonellosis were 52.9%, 85.6%, 87.8%, 89.6%, respectively. The awareness rate of the content related to zoonoses, "Human can be infected by the disease of pig", was 46.9%. Awareness rate of zoonoses tended to increase as the school career, and awareness rate of salmonellosis tended to increase as working duration of pig raising.
CONCLUSIONS
The pig is the principal reservoir of zoonoses. Therefore, effective working guidelines to prevent zoonoses for pig farmers must be developed and an educational program on zoonoses is needed for pig farmers. Furthermore, publicity activities about the prevention of zoonoses are needed for high-risk groups.

Keyword

Awareness; Swine; Zoonoses

MeSH Terms

Brucellosis
Education
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Humans
Jeollanam-do
Korea
Salmonella Infections
Swine
Tuberculosis
Zoonoses*
Surveys and Questionnaires